Nurse at centre of Duchess of Cambridge hoax call dies in suspected suicide

A HOSPITAL nurse who transferred a hoax call to staff caring for the Duchess of Cambridge has died in a suspected suicide.

The receptionist worked at the King Edward VII hospital where Kate was being treated []

Jacintha Saldanha was found at an address in London and police are treating the death as "unexplained."

Paramedics were also called to the scene early this morning but were unable to revive her.

The nurse, was two days ago, duped by Australian radio hosts, Mel Greig and Michael Christian who posed as the Queen and Prince Charles to inquire about the Duchess of Cambridge's health while she was being treated at the King Edward VII hospital.

The nurse who transferred a hoax call to another nurse caring for Kate has died in a suspected suicide

The Duchess of Cambridge had been admitted for a severe case of morning sickness.

A spokesman at Scotland Yard said: "Police were called at approximately 9.25am on Friday December 7, to a report of a woman found unconscious.

"London Ambulance Service attended and the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious at this stage."

John Lofthouse, chief executive at King Edward VII's Hospital, said: "Our thoughts and deepest sympathies at this time are with her family and friends.

"Everyone is shocked by the loss of a much loved and valued colleague."

Mr Lofthouse described ms Saldanha as: "an excellent nurse and well-respected and popular with all of her colleagues."

"Jacintha was a first class nurse who cared diligently for hundreds of patients during her time with us. She will be greatly missed."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they were "deeply saddened" at the news of Ms Saldanha's death.

In a statement St James's Palace said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jacintha Saldanha.

"Their Royal Highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha's family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time."

Impersonating the Queen, Ms Greig asked the nurse who was covering
reception to speak to Kate and believing the hoax, she transferred the
call and replied: "Oh yes, just hold on ma'am."

The Radio DJs then went onto speak to another nurse who revealed details about Kate's well being.

Mr Lofthouse condemned the actions of the Ms Greig and Mr Christian.

He said: "I think this whole thing is pretty deplorable, our nurses are caring, professional people trained to look after patients, not to cope with journalistic trickery of this sort."

Later the two DJs apologised for their actions.

They said in a statement: "We're very sorry if we caused any issues and we're glad to hear that Kate is going well."

But Mr Christian earlier today took to Twitter in an apparent boast, he said: "If you said to me 'MC this week will finish with you making international headlines' I would have punched you in the face.' #royalprank."

But as the news broke, people took to Twitter in furious outbursts causing the DJs to delete their accounts.

The station is expected to issue a statement about the death later today.